After an open competition that sought to attract "the very best British architecture can offer," six architects - including Zaha Hadid and Richard Rogers - have been selected as the potential architects of the project to rebuild the Crystal Palace in south London. See the full shortlist after the break.
The shortlist, as selected by the developers, ZhongRong Group, the President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, Stephen Hodder, the Chair of New London Architecture, Peter Murray, and members of the Advisory Board for The Crystal Palace project, chaired by London mayor Boris Johnson, is:
- Zaha Hadid Architects with Anish Kapoor
- Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
- David Chipperfield Architects
- Grimshaw Architects
- Haworth Tompkins
- Marks Barfield Architects
Mayor Johnson commented: "This is a stellar line-up of talent demonstrating the worldwide interest in this unique and challenging project...The rebuild of The Crystal Palace is set to produce an extraordinary new landmark for the capital, which will support the rebirth of this historic park and catalyse jobs and growth in the local area."
The shortlisted teams will prepare a more detailed submission and presentation; up to three will then be chosen to proceed to a final competition stage in which they must prepare initial concept designs. The selected architect will then work closely with the lead consultant, Arup, to execute the project.
The project, which will replicate the original Crystal Palace (to be used for international exhibition space, hotel facilities, and art galleries) as well as restore the 180-acre surrounding public park, is envisioned as a cultural destination for London in "the spirit, scale and magnificence of the original." The original, designed as a prefabricated modular structure by Sir Joseph Paxton and built in 1851, was an unprecedented exhibition facility and the largest glass structure in the world until its destruction by fire in 1936. You can read more about the Crystal Palace here.
Story via Dezeen
